Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common across several neurologic conditions, including traumatic brain injury, headache/pain syndromes, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis, among others. In addition to primary management of the underlying neuro-pathophysiology, neuropsychiatric symptoms, including emotion dysregulation, poor impulse control, and executive dysfunction, require incorporation into a patient-centered treatment plan. While pharmacologic interventions are to be considered, behavioral medicine interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapies (MBT), are increasingly recognized to have a significant role in the evidence-based management of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Through case-based descriptions, attendees will learn basic principles of both CBT and MBT, and to identify which patients may particularly benefit from CBT and/or MBT interventions. Ultimately, attendees will be able to engage patients in practical discussions around management, addressing "how will psychotherapy help improve my neurologic symptoms?"

Completion Message:

By the end of the talk, attendees will be able to 1) identify patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms that will benefit from a referral to cognitive behavioral or mindfulness-based psychotherapies; 2) explain to patients the goal of the referral and the basic mechanism by which a cognitive behavioral or mindfulness-based approach can be helpful; 3) interact meaningfully with psychotherapists to help improve patients' conditions.